With the Zoom LiveTrak L-12 digital mixing console, users can mix the live performance of an entire band and simultaneously record up to twelve discrete channels onto an SD card. At the same time, the console features five powerful headphone outputs, each with its own mix, which means that it can take the place of a separate headphone amplifier. The Zoom LiveTrak L-12 doubles as a USB audio interface with fourteen inputs and four outputs, and can be connected to iOS devices via an optional adapter. Zoom offers this wealth of features for an excellent price.
The Zoom LiveTrak L-12's twelve discrete tracks - comprising eight mono and two stereo channels - feature mid-parametric three-band EQs controlled by rotary knobs with LED rings as well as 16 editable onboard send effects (delay and reverb), while the eight mono channels each have their own compressor. The numerous controls and the 12-segment LEDs next to the volume faders allow intuitive mixing, and audio can be simultaneously recorded to an SD card with a resolution of up to 24bit/96kHz - before the EQs and effects, so that the twelve tracks can be further processed in a digital audio workstation on the user's computer.
With its sophisticated features, the Zoom LiveTrak L-12 is especially suitable for bands who want to mix their gig or rehearsal and record quickly and easily at the same time. It is even possible to start and stop the recording automatically, and an optional footswitch for starting and stopping the recorder playback, manually punching in and out, or muting and unmuting the onboard effects can be connected. The additional audio interface function provides more flexibility, allowing the live mix to be extended with backing or click tracks from a computer. A talkback mic, a metronome, and a master mute button are also on board.
Founded in 1983, the Japanese company Zoom manufactures a variety of audio equipment, including a range of portable "handy" recorders as well as multi-effects processors, effects pedals, drum machines, and samplers. Over the past thirty years, the company has built a reputation for producing innovative yet affordable products based on original microchip designs. Since the Zoom-9002 (an ultra-compact multi-effects processor that can be attached to a guitar strap) was introduced in 1990, Zoom has become one of the leaders in digital audio processing.
The Zoom LiveTrak L-12's five headphone outputs with their own setup, which allow four musicians and a sound engineer to be supplied with an individual headphone mix, are not only a clever idea, they are also a veritable sensation at this price point. What is more, the Zoom LiveTrak L-12 digital console can store up to nine mixer status scenes. The bright, backlit LC display and adjacent rotary knob provide access to an intuitive menu system for creating new projects, recalling previous projects, and adjusting settings. Standard features such as Hi-Z inputs and 48V phantom power are of course also provided, so the LiveTrak L-12 should fulfil just about every user requirement.